Electric generating apparatus converting the pushing action of waves into electrical power

ABSTRACT

An apparatus which forms electrical power from the pushing action of waves wherein the waves are intercepted by a boom mounted tee head which incorporates a metal framework supporting a number of shutters, the shutters intercepting the forward motion of a wave but being alternately released to hinge or pivot so as to make the tee head transparent to wave action on return to an extended position on said boom, said booms supported by an onshore structure which includes a drive shaft extending along the shoreline, the drive shaft being rotated by a plurality of such booms, and the drive shaft being extended to a substantial flywheel which is connected to an electric generator. All of the apparatus is mounted on a carriage which moves up and down the shore. The booms are rotated about an axis to raise and lower the tee head to accommodate variations in wave action, tide, seasons of the year and the like.

United States Patent [191 Mochel [451 Aug. 13,1974

1 ELECTRIC GENERATING APPARATUS CONVERTING THE PUSHING ACTION OF WAVES INTO ELECTRICAL POWER [75] Inventor: Ashton Mochel, Houston, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Ocean Power Generation, Inc.,

Houston, Tex.

[22] Filed: Jan. 17, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 324,563

[52] US. Cl. 60/503 [51] Int. Cl. F03g 7/00 [58] Field of Search 60/22; 185/33; 417/330; 290/53 5 6] References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 592,051 10/1897 Graham 60/22 1,204,088 11/1916 Tolley 60/22 1,267,733 5/1918 Abrahamson 60/22 1,617,568 2/1927 Bloss 60/22 1,688,032 10/1928 Blair. 60/22 2,749,085 6/1966 Searcy 60/22 3,243,953 4/1966 Glover 60/22'X 3,631,670 1/1972 Vassilakis 60/ 22 Primary Examiner-Edgar W. Geoghegan Assistant Examiner-H. Burks, Sr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Donald Gunn 57 ABSTRACT An apparatus which forms electrical power from the pushing action of waves wherein the waves are intercepted by a boom mounted tee head which incorporates a metal framework supporting a number of shutters, the shutters intercepting the forward motion of a wave but being alternately released to hinge or pivot so as to make the tee head transparent to wave action on return to an extended position on said boom, said booms supported by an onshore structure which includes a drive shaft extending along the shoreline, the drive shaft being rotated by a plurality of such booms, and the drive shaft being extended to a substantial flywheel which is connected to an electric generator. All of the apparatus is mountedon a carriage which moves up and down the shore. The booms are rotated about an axis to raise and lower the tee head to accommodate variations in wave action, tide, seasons of PATENIEU ms 1 31974 SHEET 2 If 5 Pmmmm w 3.828.657

SHEET 5 [IF 5 ELECTRIC GENERATING APPARATUS CONVERTING THE PUSI-IING ACTION OF WAVES INTO ELECTRICAL POWER BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION As mentioned in the references listed above, numerous efforts have been made in the past to harness wave action with the express goal of converting the wave ac tion into electrical energy. The present apparatus is particularly adapted for coastal regions where the waves are of substantial size and develop a substantial push. The present invention converts the pushing action of waves into mechanical through the use of boom mounted tee heads. The cross member at the outer end of the boom is normally maintained parallel to the wave action. It adjusts through a specified angle to maintain the requisite parallel position. In this position, the wave impinges on it. The transverse member includes a generally rectangular framework which supports a number of individual shutter plates. The shutter plates are held parallel to the wave so that the wave impinges on them with maximum force and thereby imparts a maximum amount of force to the boom which supports the tee head. This tends to drive the tee head and hence the boom back toward the shore line. When the boom travels in the opposite direction, the shutter plates are all released from the locked parallel position so as to make the tee head transparent to wave action. That is to say,

the shutter plates are all permitted to rotate about some axis to a nonparallel position thereby enabling the wave to pass substantially through the tee head.

It is through the use of this sort of apparatus that the pushing force of the wave isconverted into electrical power.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION and converts it into mechanical force acting along the length of the boom to force the boom toward the shore. The boom passes over a drive shaft. It is connected by means of an appropriate rachet gear mechanism to impart rotation to the drive shaft when the boom is moving toward the shore. Of course, the tee head must be returned to an extended position in the water and at this time, the rachet mechanism enables it to travel outwardly without interfering with operation of the drive shaft. The drive shaft is connected to several such booms. By this technique, while some of the booms are returning to the extended position and are not developing power, several others will be developing power to keep the shaft rotating. Alternative boom arrangements are shown wherein one embodiment utilizes a .single boom which is connected approximately perpenshaft to cause the drive shaft to rotate through the ratchet action described above.

Alternative embodiments of the tee head are illustrated wherein the face plates have different shapes. All of the apparatus is preferably mounted on a track mounted carriage which can be positioned closer to the water or back from the water, depending on variations in circumstances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the power generating apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of FIG: 1 showing in side view use of boom mounted tee heads to intercept the pushing force of waves and also illustrating carriage mounted track supported apparatus which is selectively positioned closer to or away from the water;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3 3 showing a roller guide mechanism for guiding a boom as it travels to and fro in response to the pushing action of the water;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4 4 of FIG. 3 showing additional details of construction of the rollers in question; 7

FIG. 5 shows in side view one form of tee head which is made up a number of individual shutter plates;

FIG. 6 is a view along the line 6 6 of FIG. 5 showing a single shutter plate of rectangular construction received in a lattice or supporting framework;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view along the line 7 7 of FIG. 6 showing apparatus for releasing the individual shutter plates to enable a tee head to move forwardly against wave action;

FIG. 8 shows an alternative form of shutter plate;

FIG. 9 shows an alternative form of mounting booms for the tee heads of the present invention wherein the booms pivot rather than slide to and fro with respect to a drive shaft but impartmotion to the drive shaft by means of a third structural member extending from the booms over the drive shaft;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view along the line 10 10 of FIG. 9 showing one means whereby the boom which passes over the drive shaft imparts rotation thereto with a ratchet action, and further illustrating bearings which support a housing about the drive shaft;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view along the line 11 ll of FIG. 10 showing details of construction of the ratchet mechanism;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing an alterna tive means of converting motion of the tee head into rotation of the drive shaft; and,

FIG. 13 is a detailed sectional view showing a means for maintaining the boom in meshed contact with a gear mechanism including bevel gears which transfer power to the drive shaft through a ratchet mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Attention is first directed to FIG. 1 of the drawings where the apparatus of the present invention is shown in plan view. In FIG. 1, the entire apparatus is indicated by the numeral 10. It incorporates a number of booms 11 which extend outwardly toward water. Each boom preferably carries a tee head 12 and they are all preferably similar in size and shape. The tee heads are positioned at an angle to be approximately parallel to the waves as they impinge on the apparatus. Each tee head 12 is pivotly mounted at a pin 13 and has a curved support 14 which supports it as it is rotated through a range of angles. It is not necessary to rotate to wide angles inasmuch as the wave action normally moves directly towards the shore. In any case, slight variations in wave action can be accommodated by rotating the tee head .12 about the pin 13.

A second set of booms and tee heads is also illustrated in FIG. 1. The two sets alternate in catching the waves as they come toward the shore. The first set is extended, intercepts the wave, and is pushed towards the shore linefThe second set is momentarily altered to make it more or less transparent to the pushing force of the waves, thereby enabling it to extend outwardly to an extended position and subsequently to return in the same manner as did the first set. The two sets of booms and their appropriately mounted tee heads thus function in an alternate manner, and sometimes randomly, thereby enabling the apparatus to provide a continuation of power to the electrical generating apparatus to be described. i

In FIG. 1, the boom 11 is observed to be parallel to the boom 16. The boom 16 is shorter than the boom 1 1 and supports a similar tee head 17 short of the tee head 12. The travel permitted to the booms 11 and 16 is different. This enables the two booms to cooperate without interference in the movement of the respective heads suspended at their outer extremity. Both sets of booms engage a drive shaft 20 which extends across the apparatus. The drive shaft 20 is supported on a platform The platform 21 supports the electrical generating apparatus including a set of gears engaged with the shaft 20 and indicated generally at 22 and also a flywheel indicated generally at 23. The flywheel 23 is connected by suitable gears to an electric generator 24. The numeral 24a identifies a battery used for auxiliary power, generator excitation or the like.

Attention is next directed to FIG. 2 of the drawings where the platform 21 is supported on a rolling carriage 25. The carriage is mounted by a plurality of wheels on parallel tracks 26. The tracks 26 are supported by a concrete slab 27 and a number of pilings 28 which extend into the shore or beach. The tracks 26 extend from a position well above the high water line to a point which is located at the lower water level or the low tide IeVeL'PreferabIy, the tracks extend even into the water. The tracks 26 guide the carriage in movement to various positions with respect to the water. Positions can be varied to obtain the optimum power from the push of the waves. The carriage can be moved to the right in FIG. 2 to reduce the power if this is required. It will be observed that the tracks terminate at a stop 29 shown in FIG. 2.

Considering FIG. 2 in further detail, the numeral 30 identifies an arcuate frame member which is positioned in journaled guides 31 and 32 on the carriage 25. The frame member 30 can be moved to the right or left in FIG. 2. As it is moved from the illustrated position, the ends move upwardly or downwardly because of the curvature of the frame member 30. Each end supports an eyelet mechanism 33. The eyelet receives the boom 11 and supports it in the illustrated position. The eyelets 33 enable the boom to reciprocate. The suspension system for a particular boom 11 will be described and, of course, can be applied to other booms. This is also true of the shorter booms 16 which are supported on a similar curved frame member 34.

Attention is momentarily directed to FIG. 3 of the drawings where the curved frame member 30 is shown at one end and the eyelet structure 33 is illustrated in greater detail. The boom If is shown as being comprised of an I-beam with top and bottom flange plates. The I-beam is supported in the eyelet 30 by a number of rollers. The numerals 36 and 37 identify top and bottom rollers. The webbingbetween the top and bottom flanges is contacted by a number of similar rollers indicatedat 38. If desired, the rollers 38 can be motorized to speed return of the booms 11 to the extended position. The several rollers are all supported on shafts permitting the rollers to'rotate freely. The rollers and appropriate shafts are received within a structural housing 39 which surrounds the beam .11. The structural housing 39 is better shown in FIG. 4. There, it will be observed that the eyelet has substantial length along the boom 11 and thereby supports duplicate sets of rollers at two locations. This particularly enhances the guiding action of the eyelet 33. Moreover, since the boom 11 is engaged with two such eyelets which are widely spaced, being located at the ends of the frame member 30, the boom is given adequate structural support.

Referringaga'in to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the curved frame member 34 also supports similar eyelets to those just described in FIGS. 3 and 4. These eyelets guide the shorter boom 16. It will be observed that the arcuate or curved members 30 and 34 center about the drive shaft 20 which extends along the length of the platform 21. The drive shaft 20 is supported on upstanding stanchions 40. The flywheel 23 is shown in operative proximity of the drive shaft 20, the gear mechanism 22 being interposed therebetween.

The numeral 42 identifies a transverse member which connects from boom to boom. It is supported on an eyelet 43 which is similar in construction to the eyelet 33 previously mentioned. It serves as a transverse walk way for the apparatus. Moreover, it provides reinforcing to the boom preventing lateral bending. The

transverse member 42 is joined to a similar and parallel transverse walk way 44 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The transverse walk way 44 is likewise received on a similar eyelet 33. The transverse members 44 and 42 are interconnected at several points by means of parallel frame members 45. The frame member 45 is parallel to and just above the boom 11 which reciprocates. Thus, the transverse walk ways 42 and 44 are movable relative to the several booms which extend therebeneath and which engage them with eyelets or guide mechanisms 43 similar to the structures shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The structure which includes the transverse walk ways 42 and 44 and which is supported on eyelets 43 and has parallel frame members 45, is movable as a unit with respect to the individual booms. It is best maintained in the position illustrated in FIG. 2. There is a tendency for it to move to the left of FIG. 2 in response to gravity action. Occasionally, it will be forced to the right and particularly is moved when the tee head 12 is forced to the right by wave action. The give which is a result of the mounting system described above, enables the entire movable structure to be retracted from the tee heads 12 that come in touch with it from time to time.

Attention is next directed to FIG. 5 of the drawings where an individual tee head 12 is shown in greater detail. The numeral 48 identifies an attached transverse float which is preferably secured on the top of the structure. In the event that a wave becomes unduly high, and submerges the tee head 12, the float 48 provides upwardbouyancy to keep the striking force of the wave and particularly any downward component from deflecting the tee head downwardly. Total bouyancy is not required of the entire structure but the lift of the float 12 is of some benefit.

The tee head incorporates a transverse upper frame member 49 which supports a generally rectangular framework. As shown in side view in FIG. 5, the rectangular framework is preferably curved in section. That is to say, it includes a curved end plate 50. The plate 50 can be increased in height, or duplicated above the frame member 49 to make a taller tee head. Two such end plates are incorporated and a suitable transverse bottom frame member is connected between them. The upper frame member 49 which extends all the way across the apparatus supports the pin 13 which pivotly supports the tee head. for rotation about its own axis from the end of the boom 11. As mentioned before, a semicircular guide l4 is connected on the back side of the tee head and engages an adjustable clamp 51 back some distance on the beam 11. The tee head is rotated about the axis 13, rotating the arcuate guide and support member 14 with respect to the clamp mechanism 51. When the desired position is achieved, the clamp mechanism is operated, thereby securing the tee head at a specified angle (see FIG. 1), which is achieved on its rotation about the pin 13. This enables the tee head to be positioned facing wave action so as to obtain the optimum amount of pushing force on the beam 11.

The tee head is constructed and arranged to become transparent to passing waves at specified intervals. To this end, the tee head incorporates a number of horizontal lattice members 52. The lattice members 52 are interspersed with a plurality of vertical lattice members 53. The lattice members 52 and 53 are found within the confines of the curved end pieces 50 shown in FIG. 5; Directing attention more specifically to FIG. 6, it will be observed that the lattice members 52 and 53 define an opening 54 which is generally rectangular or even square in shape and which receives a shutter which can be opened and closed.

The shutter 55 is pin supported at 56. The pins enable the shutter 55 to rotate about some axis enabling the shutter 55 to move to a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 6 or to an open position as illustrated in side view in FIG. 7. When the shutter is in the closed position, it makes the tee head substantially opaque or a solid member with respect to wave action. It is able to intercept the wave and convert the energy contained in the wave into a pushing force on the beam 11. Directing attention to FIG. 7, a shutter 55 has a dotted line position where it is essentially rotated about the pin mounting 56 to some nonvertical angle, thereby making the tee head substantially transparent to wave action. When the tee head is transparent to wave action, little force is transferred from the wave to the open tee head. The lattice work simply does not have the crosssectional area to catch the energy of the wave and be pushed thereby. As a matter of fact, the open lattice work enables the tee head to move to the left of FIG. 2 against wave action.

In FIG. 7, the shutter 55 is shown in sectional view which view illustrates that the lower edge of the shutter 55 is weighted at 57. This weighted lower edge tends to position the shutter 55 in a vertical position. It is held in a vertical position by means of an electrical operated pin 58. The pin is extended to secure the shutter in the upright position. It is electrically operated by means of wiring shown in dotted line in FIG. 6 which extends to the plurality of movable shutters which comprise the tee head 12.

Electrical signals are supplied to the tee head to convert it from a wave transparent structure to an opaque structure. It will beobserved that there is a random positioning of the plurality of shutters when they are permitted to achieve a nonvertical position. They are permitted to flutter or rotate at random angles during the transparent mode of operation. However, when a common signal is applied to a given tee head, as the shutters rotate or flop through the vertical position, the electrically operated pin 58 engages them and locks them in position. In short order, a number are seized and held and rather quickly as all of them move to the vertical position to rapidly convert the structure to an opaque structure. It should be particularly emphasized that the counterbalance weight 57 at the lower portions of each shutter tends to bring them back to the vertical position, enabling the electrical latching mechanism described above to operate individually on all of the shutters and enable the structure to intercept the thrust of the wave.

The thrust is transferred from the respective shutters to the pins 56 into the lattice work comprised of vertical and horizontal members and then to the transverse frame member 49 shown in FIG. 5 and to the beam 11. The tee head functions as a magnetically operated seawall shutter selectively rendered operative.

Attention is next directed to FIG. 8 of the drawings which shows an alternative form of a shutter mechanism. In FIG. 8, the numeral 60 identifies a lattice framework which surrounds a six sided shutter 61. The shutter is again suspended on pins in like manner and is counterbalanced at the bottom portion tending to maintain it in the vertical or upright position. An electrical latch mechanism is likewise shown in FIG. 8. It provides an alternative to the rectangular or structure shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Attention is next directed to FIG. 9 of the drawings which shows an alternative embodiment. In FIG. 9, the numeral 64 identifies a first boom and the numeral 65 identifies a second and parallel boom. The booms 64 and 65 are of equal length. They connect to an individual tee head 12 by means of individual pivots 66 and 67 near the ends of the tee head. The booms 64 and 65 extend to the platform 21. The booms 64 is anchored at a single pivot 68 while the boom 65 is securedat a pivot 69 which moves in an arcuate slot. Depending on the direction of wave action, the boom 65 is adjusted in position by manipulation of the pivot 69 in the arcuate slot 70. This defines a properly constructed parallelogram so that the two booms 64 and 65 may swing about the pivots 68 and 69 in unison.

The numeral 71 identifies a cross bar between the booms 64 and 65. A pivot 72 is defined at one end of the cross bar 71 and a short boom 73 extends towards the drive shaft 20. The boom 73 is reciprocated with respect to the shaft 20 as viewed in FIG. 9. The boom 73 slides to and fro with respect to the shaft 20 and de- Attention is directed to FIG. 10 of the drawings where the shaft is shown in greater detail. The numeral identifies a tubular surrounding housing about a centrally located shaft 76. The housing 75 protects the shaft 76 against the elements. The housing 75 extends up to the point of intersection with a boom. In FIG. 10, the numeral 11 identifies the boom shown in FIG. 1. The boom 73 can be used in the alternative for the boom 11 shown in FIG. 10. The boom has teeth on the lower side indicated by the numeral 77 to define a rack. The rack engages a large gear 78. The gear 78 is positioned on the outside of a rotatable drum 79. The drum 79 is supported on bearing support members 80 and 81 shown in FIG. 10. The drum,79 houses a ratchet mechanism to be described.

Attention is directed to FIG. 11 of the drawings which shows the ratchet mechanism in greater detail. The drum 79 supports and encloses the ratchet mechanism about the shaft 76. The shaft 76 is joined by means of a key 83 to a cogged gear 84. It includes facing shoulders which engage spring loaded protruding lock members 85. The lock members 85 permit the drum 79 to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 11. From clockwise rotation, the ratcheting action occurs as the lock members 85 ride over the protruding shoulders on the gear 84. On rotation in the counterclockwise direction, the locks 85 maintain their illustrated position in FIG. 11 and the ratcheting action is prevented.

The locks are several in number and are all mounted on shafts 86 for relative rotation. A spring 87 is attached to each lock and provides bias toward the gear 84.

Attention is directed to FIG. 10 where the drive mechanism 20 is shown supported on the upright stanchion 40. The stanchion 40 supports a bearing which encircles the housing 75. This guides and centers the surrounding housing and thereby helps position the shaft 76. At spaced locations, the shaft 76 is interrupted by a universal joint 89.

In operation, the surrounding housing 75 may rotate in any random manner, clockwise or counterclockwise with impunity. It serves as a protective housing for the shaft 76 which is located in its center. Theshaft 76 spans the carriage 25. It is engaged with several booms which impart rotation. to it. Since they arepreferably equipped with the same sort of ratchet mechanism described above, the pushing action of the various booms is delivered to the shaft 76 which is then rotated. The shaft 76 converts the pushing action of the several booms into rotational torque which is delivered to the electrical generating system operated by the equipment.

Attention is next directed to FIG. 12 of the drawings illustrating an alternative embodiment to that of FIG. 9. In FIG. 12, the numeral identifies a first'tee head and the numeral 96 identifies a second tee head. They are supported on a pair of common booms 97 and 98. The booms 97 and 98 are arranged in a parallelogram similar to FIG. 9. The numeral 100 identifies a boom which is pushed to and fro with respect to the drive shaft 20. Again, in this regard itfunctions similar to the structure illustrated in FIG. 9. However, there are one or two differences in FIG. 12 that should be noted. In the first instance, two transverse tee heads are incorporated to intercept the wave action. They deliver the force to a pair of booms which operate together to move the boom 100 to and fro with respect to the drive mechanism 20. Since the boom 100 moves to and fro but is secured to the'boom 97 which rotates, the angle between the boom 100 and the shaft 20 is subject to variation. To this end, attention is directed to FIG. 13 where the boom 100 is shown engaged with the structure which accommodates variations in the angle as shown in the plan view of FIG. 12.

The numeral 101 identifies a gear which is engaged with a pinion 102 carried on one side of the boom I00. The gear 101 is supported on a shaft 103 and connects with a first bevel gear 104. A bevel gear 104 engages a second bevel gear 105 which is supported on a drive shaft 106. The bevel gears 104 and 105 are. preferably at right angles and are held in this position by means of a supportive framework 107. The framework 107 supports and positions the shaft 103 at the desired location.

The numeral 108 identifies an upstanding frame member which supports a movable pin 109. The pin is urged to the right by means of a spring 110. The shaft 109 supports a bifurcated mounting bracket 111 which supports a roller 112. The roller 112 engages one side of the boom 100. The spring urges the boom 100 into continuous contact with the gear 101. A ratchet mechanism, of the sort shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is also preferably incorporated but is not shown in FIG. 13.

The structure of FIG. 13 is preferably used to transfer the forces created by the wave action to the drive shaft without regard to problems of alignment of the boom 100 with respect to the shaft 20. In effect, the boom 100 is rotated about the gear 101 but since it is maintained in contact, it continues to deliver its pushing motion to the gear 101 which is then transferred to the drive shaft and electrical generating system.

The foregoing has been directed to an apparatus for conversion of the pushing action of waves into electrical energy. Little has been stated about the electrical generating system except to note that it is mounted on the platform/It is preferably a conventional electrical generating system in the sense that it converts the mechanical energy into electrical power which is more readily transmitted over long distances. Many features concerning the present invention should be noted. Among other things, the system of the present invention is particularly adjustable over a range of shoreline elevations, tide levels and wave levels. It can be adjusted to accommodate a small or nominal electrical load or it can be adjusted to achieve optimum power generation. It can be moved to the right of FIG. 2 to reduce the power generated. The individual booms can be raised or lowered to achieve the desired vertical position with respect to the wave. If the booms are too high, the tee heads will catch only the froth on the top of the waves and will create very little driving force. If the tee heads are too low, they will continually submerged in water and the waves which approach the shore line will pass over the top. As will be understood, this positioning may be adjusted from time to time, depending of circumstances.

The foregoing is directed to the preferred embodiment of the present invention but the scope therefore is determined by the claims which are appended hereto.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for use in converting the pushing action of waves into energy of a different form, comprising:

a framework having at least a pair of openings therein;

an elongate boom joined to said framework;

a rotatable shaft;

means operated by said boom to impart rotation to said shaft;

means for positioning said boom such that said framework is positioned near the surface of a body of water at a height to intercept waves on the water, said positioning means further enabling said boom to move in response to wave action against said framework;

means for selectively closing the openings in said framework to alter the resistance of said framework to wave action; and

controllable shutters means in said openings of said framework for selectively closing said openings.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including pivot means for mounting said shutters means in said openings, said shutters means being rotatable about an axis defined by said pivot means between a first position where said shutter, closes the opening and a second position where said shutter does not close the opening.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said shutter means is biased to seek one of the two positions, and including means for releasably locking said shutter in the first position.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 including a weight at the bottom of said shutter tending to maintain said shutter in a generally vertical position, a cooperative pin and mating receptacle operatively arranged between said shutter and said framework locking said shutter in a fixed relationship; and electrically operated means for locking said pin in said receptacle to secure said shutter in the fixed position, said electrically. operated means being selectively inoperative to release said pin from said mating receptacle.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said framework includes generally parallel horizontal and vertical members defining a plurality of openings thereamong, said openings having at least one generally right angle corner, and a shutter adapted to fit within said opening and conforming to the shape of said opening.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said framework is formed of a number of individual straight segments which define a plurality of hexagonal openings, and a shutter of conforming shape within said opening.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 including a pivot means joining said framework to said boom and enabling said framework to pivot about said pivot means, and means for locking said framework at a specified angle relative to said boom.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said boom includes a pair of parallel elongate members pivotally connected to said framework, a platform, means pivotally connecting said elongate members to said platform such that said elongate members comprise sides of a parallelogram having pivotal connections at the corners of said parallelogram.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 including a second framework joined to said boom.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said boom includes an elongate member.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 including an elongate member connected to said parallelogram and extending therefrom to said gear means.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said elongate member is pivotally connected at one end portion to said parallelogram and includes a means therealong engaging said gear means.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 including a rack along said elongate member and a mating gear engaged therewith.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 including a support means having a pair of aligned guide means, said boom being slidably positioned and aligned in said guide means, said support means positioning said boom for extension toward the body of water.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 including means for rotating said support means about an axis approximately parallel to said rotatable shaft, said rotating means enabling movement of said framework upwardly and downwardly relative to the body of water.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said guide means includes rolle'r means enabling movement of said boom toward and away from the body of water.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 including a platform; second guide means on said platform; said support means including an arcuate surface cooperatively engaged with said second guide means to rotate said support means about said rotatable shaft;

a set of tracks beneath said platform for moving said platform toward and away from the body of water; and

a set of wheels on said platform engaged with said tracks for moving said platform.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shaft includes universal joint means along the length thereof.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shaft is supported at two or more locations by a bearing assembly.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rotatable shaft includes a ratchet meachnism cooperative with said boom, said ratchet mechanism transferring rotation to said shaft on movement of said boom in one direction and ratcheting on movement of said boom in the opposite direction.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 including in said means for imparting rotation to said shaft a gear engaged by a rack extending along a part of the length of said boom;

a ratchet meachnism including a gear having at least two teeth with exposed faces, said faces exposed in a common direction around an axis of said gear;

spring biased rotatably mounted lock members for selectively engaging said exposed faces on rotation in one direction,'and rotating over said faces on rotation in an opposite direction.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for imparting rotation to said shaft comprises a gear rotating about a generally vertical axis;

a rack along a portion of the length of said boom engaging said gear;

a bevel gear system connected to said gear and to said shaft through a ratchet meachnism for imparting rotation to said shaft from said boom.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 including resiliently mounted pressure roller means forcing said rack into engagement with said gear.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said pressure roller forces said boom laterally and said rack is on the side of said boom.

. 25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said boom positioning means includes a set of tracks extending toward and away from the body of water;

a wheel mounted platform movable on said tracks;

a pivotally movable support means for said boom carried on said platform;

said support means having a generally of rotation;

guide means carried by saidsupport means for receiving said boom therein in sliding engagement for movement along its length; and

said tracks and wheel mounted platform, said support means and guide means all cooperatively positioning said framework for movement between two positions for each cycle of operation, the first position being on extension of said boom to a point in or horizontal axis over the water to intercept the push of ocean waves on said framework, and the second position being defined by the path of travel of said framework toward said platform, said boom thereafter reextending to enable said framework to intercept the pushing action of a subsequently occurring wave, and said framework and boom moving as a' unit is repetitive motion responsive to wave action.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 including a flywheel connected to said shaft by a gear transmission means.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said flywheel rotates about an axis parallel to said shaft.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 including a power take off from said flywheel adapted for rotation of an electric generator.

29. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said support means raises and lowers said boom relative to the body of water to position said framework at a specified height. 

1. Apparatus for use in converting the pushing action of waves into energy of a different form, comprising: a framework having at least a pair of openings therein; an elongate boom joined to said framework; a rotatable shaft; means operated by said boom to impart rotation to said shaft; means for positioning said boom such that said framework is positioned near the surface of a body of water at a height to intercept waves on the water, said positioning means further enabling said boom to move in response to wave action against said framework; means for selectively closing the openings in said framework to alter the resistance of said framework to wave action; and controllable shutters means in said openings of said framework for selectively closing said openings.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 including pivot means for mounting said shutters means in said openings, said shutters means being rotatable about an axis defined by said pivot means between a first position where said shutter, closes the opening and a second position where said shutter does not close the opening.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said shutter means is biased to seek one of the two positions, and including means for releasably locking said shutter in the first position.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 including a weight at the bottom of said shutter tending to maintain said shutter in a generally vertical position, a cooperative pin and mating receptacle operatively arranged between said shutter and said framework locking said shutter in a fixed relationship; and electrically operated means for locking said pin in said receptacle to secure said shutter in the fixed position, said electrically operated means being selectively inoperative to release said pin from said mating receptacle.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said framework includes generally parallel horizontal and vertical members defining a plurality of openings thereamong, said openings having at least one generally right angle corner, and a shutter adapted to fit within said opening and conforming to the shape of said opening.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said framework is formed of a number of individual straight segments which define a plurality of hexagonal openings, and a shutter of conforming shape within said opening.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 including a pivot means joining said framework to said boom and enabling said framework to pivot about said pivot means, and means for locking said framework at a specified angle relative to said boom.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said boom includes a pair of parallel elongate members pivotally connected to said framework, a platform, means pivotally connecting said elongate members to said platform such that said elongate members comprise sides of a parallelogram having pivotal connections at the corners of said parallelogram.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 including a second framework joined to said boom.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said boom includes an elongate member.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8 including an elongate member connected to said parallelogram and extending therefrom to said gear means.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said elongate member is pivotally connected at one end portion to said parallelogram and includes a means therealong engaging said gear means.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 including a rack along said elongate member and a mating gear engaged therewith.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 including a support means having a pair of aligned guide means, said boom being slidably positioned and aligned in said guide means, said support means positioning said boom for extension toward the body of water.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 including means for rotating said support means about an axis approximately parallel to said rotatable shaft, said rotating means enabling movement of said framework upwardly and downwardly relative to the body of water.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said guide means includes roller means enabling movement of said boom toward and away from the body of water.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15 including a platform; second guide means on said platform; said support means including an arcuate surface cooperatively engaged with said second guide means to rotate said support means about said rotatable shaft; a set of tracks beneath said platform for moving said platform toward and away from the body of water; and a set of wheels on said platform engaged with said tracks for moving said platform.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shaft includes universal joint means along the length thereof.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shaft is supported at two or more locations by a bearing assembly.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rotatable shaft includes a ratchet meachnism cooperative with said boom, said ratchet mechanism transferring rotation to said shaft on movement of said boom in one direction and ratcheting on movement of said boom in the opposite direction.
 21. The apparatus of claim 1 including in said means for imparting rotation to said shaft a gear engaged by a rack extending along a part of the length of said boom; a ratchet meachnism including a gear having at least two teeth with exposed faces, said faces exposed in a common direction around an axis of said gear; spring biased rotatably mounted lock members for selectively engaging said exposed faces on rotation in one direction, and rotating over said faces on rotation in an opposite direction.
 22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for imparting rotation to said shaft comprises a gear rotating about a generally vertical axis; a rack along a portion of the length of said boom engaging said gear; a bevel gear system connected to said gear and to said shaft through a ratchet meachnism for imparting rotation to said shaft from said boom.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22 including resiliently mounted pressure roller means forcing said rack into engagement with said gear.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said pressure roller forces said boom laterally and said rack is on the side of said boom.
 25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said boom positioning means includes a set of tracks extending toward and away from the body of water; a wheel mounted platform movable on said tracks; a pivotally movable support means for said boom carried on said platform; said support means having a generally horizontal axis of rotation; guide means carried by said support means for receiving said boom therein in sliding engagement for movement along its length; and said tracks and wheel mounted platform, said support means and guide means all cooperatively positioning said framework for movement between two positions for each cycle of operation, the first position being on extension of said boom to a point in or over the water to intercept the push of ocean waves on said framework, and the second position being defined by the path of travel of said framework toward said platform, said boom thereafter re-extending to enable said framework to intercept the pushing action of a subsequently occurring wave, and said framework and boom moving as a unit is repetitive motion responsive to wave action.
 26. The apparatus of claim 1 including a flywheel connected to said shaft by a gear transmission means.
 27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said flywheel rotates about an axis parallel to said shaft.
 28. The apparatus of claim 26 including a power take off from said flywheel adapted for rotation of an electric generator.
 29. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said support means raises and lowers said boom relative to the body of water to position said framework at a specified height. 